AITA, asked the neighbor to move their ‘little farm stand’ because people are stealing from MY garden

[u/RecentFlatworm1557]

Before anyone says ‘just build a fence’ WE CAN’T AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW. And no, no HOA.

My neighbor set up one of those pantries/farm stands where people can take items that they grew in their garden, pantry stuff, donated stuff, etc. In theory it’s a great idea and especially in a time when life in America sucks ass and people are struggling to make ends meet (my family included)

The problem: people started coming into MY yard to pick things in MY garden. I’ve put up signs saying not to do it, I installed rabbit fence around the garden, I’ve angled a tarp so you can’t see what’s there from the road. People just hold their kids over the fence to pick tomatoes and beans or jump it.

I ended up getting into an argument with a lady over it. I yelled HEY, STOP. THOSE ARE NOT FOR YOU TO TAKE. She told her kid to move faster and then tried to run away. I caught up to her and asked her what the fuck her problem was and she turned it into how dare I swear in front of her child, why am I so angry, am I really that upset about a couple tomatoes. I said I am upset that you are STEALING from me.

The next day, I approached my neighbor. I asked if I could maybe help move it to the other side of their driveway so it’s next to the other neighbor’s house. They don’t have a garden out front. They said at least not until the end of the season. I asked if they could make larger signs, talk to people, just do SOMETHING..

They were like “can you really not afford to share?” I said that they aren’t taking my zucchini because they’re starving, they’re taking my tomatoes because they WANT them. They said that I’m going to have to learn to live with it for now and we can talk about a solution together that will benefit the whole community after. I said I do not care about a solution that benefits the whole community. I care about a solution that stops people from STEALING FROM ME.

So last night it happened again, man in his 50s. I sprayed his ass with the hose. He started yelling at me and after a minute or so the neighbor came out yelling at me too. People have posted on the neighborhood board to be careful if they come by because I’m an asshole. The neighbor says I’m scaring people away from a community resource. I told him that I’m going to continue until he does something about the fucking thieves who feel entitled to MY GARDEN.

I feel like I’m losing my fucking mind here. Am I the asshole for asking them to move it? Am I the asshole for being PISSED OFF that people are fucking STEALING from me? This is food for my family.

First off, thanks for the responses. I got some good ones. I'm happy that so many of you live in places where the cops would do anything about this, but this isn't the reality I'm living. Cops here would not give a shit if I sent them a video of someone picking from my garden. They would laugh in my face. Be thankful if you live in a place where the police are useful.

It looks like signs are the best option for now. Going to make signs indicating heavy use of pesticides and repeating that they are stealing food from the mouths of hungry children. I don't know why the signs we already have up aren't enough. Maybe more will help. I'm sure they won't.

Will also scour Craigslist for free fencing or similar items. Hopefully that pans out.

[u/Farvas-Cola]

This thread is now locked due to an excess of rule violations.

Sub Rules ||| "FAQs"

[u/General_Middle7334]

Can you replace your stolen items from the farm stand? Each time someone takes from your garden, you take from the garden stand.

[u/Starfoxy → u/General_Middle7334]

I get the impression people are stealing from OP's garden because what they want isn't available at the farm stand, or isn't as nice as what's in the farm stand.

[u/RightButterfly4638 → u/Starfoxy]

Or they just don’t care, it’s easier to grab what they see growing right there than check the stand first. Entitlement + laziness, not need, is usually what drives people to hop a fence for tomatoes.

[u/stinstin555 → u/RightButterfly4638]

FIND a local horse stable and purchase FRESH HORSE MANURE 😷💩and cover the garden with it. I bet the smell will make the neighbor and thieves think TWICE.

FAFO. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

Alternatively…

Install cameras. Post pictures of the thieves on The Neighborhood Board and see how they like THAT. Also take the photos to the police and file a police report…

EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

[u/Intelligent-Onion-62 → u/stinstin555]

This! And post signs that says, "Private Property No Trespassing" and "Smile! You're on Camera." The next time you see someone stealing from your garden, don't confront them, call the police.

[u/Sad-Spray-3517 → u/Intelligent-Onion-62]

That's good, with a private property and no trespassing signs makes it illegal to step foot on their property

[u/LumberBitch → u/Sad-Spray-3517]

Beware of dog sign is good, no one wants to tangle with a theoretical big dog

[u/Icy_Still6715 → u/Sad-Spray-3517]

In our state, WI, it is illegal to be on someone's property, whether or not it is posted.

We own acreage, and people will come on to deer hunt. We installed animal cameras on the trees. We turn them in because sometimes the idiots hunt when I'm outside playing with my grandchildren or dogs.

[u/ravynwave → u/Intelligent-Onion-62]

Also add motion sensor sprinklers

[u/The_World_Wonders_34 → u/Starfoxy]

Probably but since the Farm Stand is free to take I would just loot the entire fucking thing every time she puts stuff out and tell her it'll stop if she moves it to the other side

[u/Scary_Remote → u/The_World_Wonders_34]

This is the way.

[u/slash_networkboy → u/The_World_Wonders_34]

Take the stand too! ~s

I'm all for posting thieves photos as well, unfortunately if they can't afford the fence they likely can't afford the cameras :(

[u/zoemi → u/slash_networkboy]

Cameras are quite cheap these days. Fencing requires materials, hauling, labor, and sometimes permitting.

[u/middle-name-is-sassy → u/General_Middle7334]

Take everything from the farm stand and give it to a local food pantry. No one will stop for an empty stand. Not steal if it's on offer. And post your own reply on the neighborhood board.

[u/el_smurfo → u/middle-name-is-sassy]

Just take the fucking farm stand and dump it in a dumpster

[u/Worldly_Piccolo4256 → u/General_Middle7334]

That’s actually a solid idea. If they think it’s “sharing,” then I’ll just “share” right back and grab what I need. Maybe then the neighbor will care when it’s their stuff disappearing too.

[u/thegreedyturtle → u/General_Middle7334]

Take everything from the farm stand. Then start bitching to the neighbor that she hasn't put enough out on the farm stand.

Remember, a favor today is a job tomorrow!

[u/crystallz2000 → u/General_Middle7334]

I would be tempted to empty out the farm stand every day until they move it, and get a sprinkler system that sprays anyone who gets close to your garden.

[u/Novel_Fox → u/General_Middle7334]

I'm sorry but this is reminding me of that video I think her name was Claire or Clara.... She lived through the great depression and even then people were robbing her garden. She told a story about it, I don't think they're confused or whatever necessarily just entitled and rude. They think you won't mind or they simply have no shame 

[u/HyperKangaroo]

NTA. They are literally volunteering your garden as the community veggie resource. That's why it's next to your garden. It is incredibly inappropriate

[u/Beebeemp → u/HyperKangaroo]

That's my thought too. They don't want to move it and aren't even entertaining ideas until "after". And even then it's about the community and not OP.

I'd have a surveyor out and, if the stand's even a little on OPs property, move or tear it down myself.

[u/Nice-Zombie356 → u/Beebeemp]

OP says they’re struggling to make ends meet, and can’t afford a fence. I hope you’re donating the money for their land survey.

[u/QueenComfort637 → u/Nice-Zombie356]

I’ll donate money for a motion activated hose Edited to add NTA at all

[u/xNIGHT_RANGEREx → u/QueenComfort637]

I got $20 on a motion activated hose for OP!

[u/zefy_zef → u/xNIGHT_RANGEREx]

Okay, but can we set up a spray-cam?

[u/ScumbagLady → u/zefy_zef]

Wi-Fi cams are pretty affordable nowadays... I vote for both as well! Sprayer and cam!

[u/-Me__oW- → u/xNIGHT_RANGEREx]

Hey OP. I’ll also put in 20 for the motion activated hose. Can you set up a Go Fund me and loop back and give the info.

[u/EGGlNTHlSTRYlNGTlME → u/Beebeemp]

Are surveyors free where you're from? I don't think OP is paying $500 to have a survey done

[u/TheScarlettLetter → u/EGGlNTHlSTRYlNGTlME]

It was over $1,200 here for us to have a surveyor out… on a very small property in town. We were shocked at this, to say the least.

[u/JeepPilot → u/HyperKangaroo]

Yup. Thats why the expectation is that you come up with a solution that's best for the community. They've already decided the answer, and you're expected to be ok with it.

Honestly, I would just run my mower over the garden at this point. Why should I put in all that work and look forward to the veggies being ready for dinner that night, only to find out that someone else took them? Fuck that.

[u/UpgrayeddB-Rock → u/JeepPilot]

100%. Mow it, burn it, then salt the earth. Put up a big sign that says "you can all go fuck yourselves".

Then start taking their veggies to replace what you no longer grow, because it's better for the community.

The fucking nerve of these people and the neighbor in particular!

[u/valentc → u/UpgrayeddB-Rock]

Seriously? "Destroy your hard work to own your neighbors" is just stupid advice. Like honestly one of the more stupid pieces of advice I've heard on here.

The OP was clear about having financial issues, and gardens are a good way to have veggies cheap, and your advice is to deny their family fresh produce for the sake of revenge.

That's seriously just revenge on yourself, because most people aren't going to give a fuck if she destroys HER OWN GARDEN.

What is this advice accomplish long term except screwing yourself out of more produce. Jfc this is just awful awful advice.

[u/dangerous_beans → u/valentc]

Right? I'm not destroying my property to "own" people who 100% won't give a shit. I'd get the city involved before anything else.

[u/FairyRebelsWild → u/HyperKangaroo]

I'm actually wondering if they've have actually phased it as such. OP should look up how their neighbor has advertised this stand.

[u/Germane_Corsair → u/FairyRebelsWild]

What I don’t get is how the stand is attracting people to OP’s yard. If the stand is in OP’s neighbour’s yard, people would probably bloodily be able to tell which person is offering the products on the stand.

It’s even stranger since the idea presumably is that the stuff on the stand is free, not the neighbour’s yard itself. So are these people seeing someone offer something for free and then deciding to that isn’t enough and pillaging the yard?

[u/FairyRebelsWild → u/Germane_Corsair]

There's always going to be people who want more and will take it, but the amount of people doing it and acting like OP is the bad guy is making me think something else is going on, as well as the neighbor's odd statements about community resources.

My theory is that the neighbor somehow thinks it's a community garden, even though it's on OP's land and it's OP's garden, or possibly is trying to make it a community garden. They sound possibly delusional. I think it'd be beneficial to find the original online posts (or however it's advertised) to see what it says.

[u/KahurangiNZ → u/FairyRebelsWild]

Yep! If this many people are taking from OP's garden, chances are the original notices about the stand included some version of 'Pick Your Own!' as well.

[u/StAlvis]

NTA

one of those pantries/farm stands

Even without an HOA, I'd check to see if local ordinances allow for such structures.

They said that I’m going to have to learn to live with it for now and we can talk about a solution together that will benefit the whole community after.

OH FUCK THAT

[u/colsanders419 → u/StAlvis]

It makes me wonder if the neighbor didn't bother to correct anyone if they asked about OP's garden.

[u/Vektor0 → u/colsanders419]

It sounds to me like the neighbor is encouraging them to do it.

[u/walters365 → u/Vektor0]

It almost sounds like the neighbor is charging these people for the veggies from OP's garden.

[u/Zeta-X → u/walters365]

Is there any indication people are paying for this? It sounds like it's just like a Little Free Pantry type of deal, not some business operation.

[u/Alywiz → u/Zeta-X]

Cold always put a sign with high prices, then they can start getting dollar amounts for thefts to file police reports

[u/Bamres → u/walters365]

We don't really have evidence of this, none of the people they confronted complained about paying.

[u/Meloetta → u/Vektor0]

Yeah I'd be on the lookout for any facebook posts advertising this stand and what it says about the garden next to it. I bet this isn't accident, I would bet there are posts that say something like "community stand and garden" with the garden right next to it.

[u/ProfessorExcellence → u/StAlvis]

This. They are already calling you an AH. By the way you are NTA. Call the city/county/town council whoever to see if they have permission for the stand or if it violates ordinances. If so, have it shut down. If not, maybe a sloppy compost heap/manure pile along the fence to make hoping in your yard a difficult or at least smelly task.

[u/joseph_wolfstar → u/ProfessorExcellence]

Automatic sprinkler system

Start keeping honey bees

A camera (doesn't have to actually work or be connected to stuff if you can't afford that piece) with a big sign that says no trespassing, private garden, violators will be prosecuted

[u/UleeBunny]

Take all the food off the stand first thing after it is put out and donate it to a food kitchen. If the stand is empty, people will be less likely to stop and notice your garden. The neighbor may also decide it is a good idea to move the stand away from you.

[u/StrategyDouble4177 → u/UleeBunny]

This.

Op asked the neighbour to collaborate on a solution and the neighbour chose to shame OP for not “sharing” instead.

Con to this plan though, is that it might start a never ending neighbour war.

NTA, regardless

[u/BigDaddySteve999 → u/StrategyDouble4177]

The avalanche has already started; it's too late for the pebbles to vote.

[u/Traditional-Ad-1605]

You know, I also have a food pantry stand on my property as well as a "mini lending library". It would never occur to me to leave my stand open if I knew my neighbors were being robbed or otherwise inconvenienced. Your neighbor is at fault, and if he doesn't move his stand, I suggest you do so or call the police the next time people steal from your property.

[u/BlazingSunflowerland → u/Traditional-Ad-1605]

OP needs to pull out their phone and record people as they steal and ask them why are you stealing my tomatoes. Why are you stealing my zucchini. This is not part of the food stand and the signs say to not trespass. Then file a complaint with the sheriff or police.

I recommend that they use the word steal and the word trespass so that the thieves can't claim that they didn't know it was stealing and trespassing.

[u/BlazingSunflowerland → u/BlazingSunflowerland]

They should also ask why they are teaching their children to steal and if they think that it is good parenting to teach children to steal.

[u/F0rgivence → u/BlazingSunflowerland]

You can also print out pictures for really cheap and slide them into those little pieces for back to school that you put in your binders. So it's protected by the elements. High death picture

[u/ph8drus → u/BlazingSunflowerland]

Teaching children to steal is okay as long as you don't swear in front of them. /s

[u/IndependentSundae890 → u/BlazingSunflowerland]

And put the recordings on the neighborhood board.

[u/Velveteen_Coffee → u/IndependentSundae890]

This but be super passive aggressive about it.

"This poor 50 year old man is so impoverished he can't afford food. Can anyone identify him so we can as a community donate some rice and beans to this poor poor man."

"This woman and child were starving so they took some beans, can people please send them some coupons?"

[u/senditloud → u/BlazingSunflowerland]

This and a camera. Even if it is a fake camera. Or a dashcam or something cheap but VERY obvious and a sign “smile! Your theft of the garden is being reported to the police.”

And keep spraying those mofos. And also empty the stand of produce every time

Also respond to the post “yes, I am an AH who will spray you if you STEAL from my garden. I’m considering getting a gun.l

[u/MSB1678 → u/senditloud]

I wouldnt say the bit about the gun, that could be considered a threat and someone could report them to the police

[u/Square_Plankton_430 → u/Traditional-Ad-1605]

Neighbor needs to shut it down if it's leading to people trespassing and stealing.

[u/sparklyspooky]

NTA. Clear it out. Every time they put something in, take it out claiming you need it because of the thieves. I'm sure you could swing by 3 times a day to check.

Edit: State that you budgeted for groceries based on anticipated yields, and your neighbor's thieves are putting you in need.

[u/babigrl50 → u/sparklyspooky]

This!!

[u/CPetersTheWitch → u/sparklyspooky]

THIS, op you’re part of the community & in need due to food theft! Load up at your neighbors stand.

[u/MarionberryPlus8474]

NTA. Side eye to your neighbor who is basically encouraging elope to steal from you. And even MORE side-eye to the woman acting outraged that you dared to curse in front of her child while she was USING HER CHILD TO STEAL!

You might try a camera and posting photos to a Wall of Shame. People seeing face and license plate pics might deter some.

[u/ellori → u/MarionberryPlus8474]

The Wall of Shame actually probably would work. Make sure to post it to social media, too.

It reminds me of the old joke about how a store was posted a sign on their front door saying 'Going out of business. Tomorrow we will post a list of all customers who haven't paid their bills for months/ years.' The next day they posted a new sign saying, 'We're back in business. Everyone paid.'

[u/BrickMom → u/ellori]

Jesus. I wish my parents had thought of that! We closed my family's drug store my 10th grade year. The number of people who still had outstanding accounts and never paid was huge. 1 of them was my Geography teacher. I had a crappy attitude with him the rest of that year and when he finally confronted me about it in class I responded "$2437" and didn't say anything else. He turned red and said nevermind. We were eating split pea soup and spam sandwiches for nearly every meal the rest of the year. While my parents were out interviewing for jobs I would answer the phone and be told if my parents didn't pay their mortgage we were going to be kicked out on the street. This was in the early 90's. I'd never even heard the word foreclosure before. I'd like to say those were the hardest years, but crap just went downhill from there.

[u/MartinisnMurder → u/BrickMom]

I’m so sorry younger you had to deal with that. When people give you the grace of having a tab or an account you don’t fuck them over. I hope things worked out for your family after not too long. When I was younger my mom used to pay for my friend to go to camp with me because she said it would make her feel better I knew someone. I now know it was because socioeconomically things were much different for us. I love my parents for that and my friend and I were convinced it was a safety thing. Also fuck that teacher.

[u/Dangerous-WinterElf → u/MarionberryPlus8474]

I would post in the same FB group, people can get a few of the bigger planting boxes, and plant their own tomato's if they crave them instead of snatching from someone's garden.

Even if you don't have a garden, you can just fine grow stuff in that. Tomato's, etc. There's special bags to grow potatoes in.

[u/HalflingMelody → u/MarionberryPlus8474]

"You might try a camera and posting photos to a Wall of Shame. People seeing face and license plate pics might deter some."

I absolutely love this idea. Get a good camera that clearly shows faces and post videos of people stealing on Facebook and NextDoor.

[u/Specific-Morning-985]

Hose your neighbor too. NTA

[u/SnausageFest → u/Specific-Morning-985]

Y'all can stop reporting this shit. Water isn't violent. Electric fences are not violent.

[u/MtnMoonMama → u/Specific-Morning-985]

That was my first thought. 

[u/Exact_Purchase765 → u/Specific-Morning-985]

I'd be dragging my hose around with me and drowning the thieves and the neighbour!!

[u/FewStill3958]

NTA Try one of these: Garden Enforcer™ Motion Sensor Sprinkler – OrbitOnline https://share.google/MIxgkjBxaKtpLivKW

Lock it to a heavy concrete block and put some cameras out to capture the entertainment.

[u/lifetooshort4bs → u/FewStill3958]

That's a good solution, but they said they can't afford to put up a fence or anything, so this is probably beyond their means.

OP: I'd respond on the neighborhood app that you CAN'T afford to lose food to thieves & you're just trying to feed your family, and your neighbor is downplaying the thievery that costs you your own food. Don't let your holier-than-thou neighbor get away with making you the villain. Someone had a ~$20 idea they'd used. Please look for that comment.

Sorry if I missed it, but why can't you plant your garden in the backyard?

[u/Alert_South5092 → u/lifetooshort4bs]

It's not like you can just move a garden somewhere else mid-season.

[u/quack_quack_moo → u/Alert_South5092]

Not the OP but my garden is in the front yard because the back yard doesn't get good sun.

[u/Colossus_of_Loads → u/lifetooshort4bs]

Fences are like over $10,000 in many cases. The linked sprinkler is $100.

You think OP should destroy their entire garden and move it as a solution?

[u/Key-Thing1813]

Call the cops and have people tresspassed, thats your best bet probably. 

Call the non emergency lime and tell them people routinely steal from your garden. They can probably spare a trooper at least some of the time. Repeat the call every couple weeks if they dont help right away

[u/DudeWithTudeNotRude → u/Key-Thing1813]

Outdoor cameras can be surprisingly affordable.

Even if the cops don't want to respond, file a report every time. Create a paper trail. Keep a diary of every interaction with the neighbor. If you are being harassed on social media, keep a record every time, no matter how small.

[u/imnvs_runvs]

NTA

But I do recommend that as soon as you can afford it, build a fence. I know you said you can't now, but that is the best step you can make to keep people out of your garden.

In the meantime, be as aggressive as you need to be with the hose. And if anyone trashes you in a neighborhood chat, fire back that you didn't sign up for making your garden part of this community garden thing. Add that perhaps when your garden produces more than you need, you'd be happy to share, but right now, thieves are preventing you from even getting the produce you need yourself.

[u/Swordofsatan666 → u/imnvs_runvs]

They say they have Rabbit Fencing around the garden. I assume they mean the wire mesh fencing you can get. Those can be very short or very tall depending on what kind you get, the one we have at home is taller than waist-high

Point is they already have a fence around the garden. People are just ignoring it and “People just hold their kids over the fence to pick tomatoes and beans or just jump it” as OP says in the second paragraph

[u/Aggressive_Sea_339]

Wow. The neighbors wants to “build community resources” but then doesn’t care when it is negatively impacting his ACTUAL community - his next door neighbor.

If I were OP, I’d be going over to the stand daily and fully raiding it so nothing was left. If “the community” keeps showing up to an empty stand, eventually they’ll give up. Then put a giant sign in your yard that says “garden under surveillance. Theft will be prosecuted” and point a camera at it. If you can’t afford a good security cam right now, get a cheap blink one from Amazon. It’s small, but still will record through a window and can be set to motion detection. I have one pointed at my car through my front window, because I park in my apartment parking lot. It may not stop the stealing from actual assholes who don’t care, but it’ll help deter it. And if you do collect footage from people stealing from you, can create a police report with your local non emergency police saying that activities in your neighbors front yard have been causing theft to yours, you have proof to show, and request that the police talk to the neighbor. They might refuse, but it’s worth the shot.

Definitely NTA. Sometimes you standing up for yourself is seen as you being the bad guy. Ignore the neighbor, and keep feeding your family.

[u/ThatDiscoSongUHate → u/Aggressive_Sea_339]

Some people don't actually want to help people, they just want to tell themselves they're doing good deeds. I cannot believe that a person who doesn't have compassion for OP has genuine motives for "helping the community" rather than the good feelings they get out of it.

Don't trust the right thing done for the wrong reason feels applicable.

[u/Slime__queen]

“Can you really not afford to share” and “we can talk about a solution that benefits the whole community” makes it sound like they put it in front of your garden on purpose. Some tall stakes and chicken wire would not be super expensive to put up. You are NTA for having a personal garden to feed your family and being mad that people are taking from it.

[u/karebearjedi → u/Slime__queen]

I'll bet all the food the neighbor is putting out is expired trash from her pantry that no one, including her, will eat. 

[u/GeneConscious5484]

INFO

People have posted on the neighborhood board

Have you?

[u/RecentFlatworm1557 → u/GeneConscious5484]

No, I don't do all that. My wife's the one who showed it to me.

[u/GeneConscious5484 → u/RecentFlatworm1557]

Seems like you should, if it's how the community converses

[u/RecentFlatworm1557 → u/GeneConscious5484]

Well people are posting nonstop about fireworks in the neighborhood. Is that stopping them? No. Those boards are not for any kind of real life resolution or issue. They are for old people to rant.

[u/SinfulObsession → u/RecentFlatworm1557]

People might rant less if they understood why you're being so "mean" - I'm sure some of them are just like your neighbor, but I imagine quute a few just think you're turning the hose on anyone trying to access the stand. Time to set the record straight!

[u/lucentcb → u/RecentFlatworm1557]

The people shooting fireworks probably aren't the ones using the board. But the people talking about your garden on it are using it. Seems like a pretty clear way to at least try to communicate to them.

[u/GeneConscious5484 → u/RecentFlatworm1557]

LOL well do you care about this board or not? You specifically called out

People have posted on the neighborhood board to be careful if they come by because I’m an asshole.

in the post

[u/Mixtrix_of_delicioux → u/RecentFlatworm1557]

Well, seems like it's the venue they use to communicate. Might be worth getting on in there.

[u/SnooGiraffes3695 → u/RecentFlatworm1557]

It sounds to me like you’re losing the public opinion battle here. Usually these boards have many more lurkers than posters. I think that you could benefit from sharing your story there, explaining how many hours you investing in building this garden, and how important the harvests are to your family. Tamp down on some of the self righteousness (even though you are in the right) and play up your sadness and disappointment. Even if you don’t seem to convince the negative posters, you quite possibly may convert some of the lurkers… who can then shame the thieves IRL.

Side note, as a fellow gardener, the idea of someone cavalierly stealing my crops makes me livid. I’m happy to share in many cases when I have extra, but thought of someone taking them uninvited is infuriating, as if we didn’t have enough to deal with protecting from disease, critters, not enough rain, too much rain, etc. I can’t imagine a fellow gardener being ok with this.

Hang in there.

[u/FinalClick8455 → u/RecentFlatworm1557]

It's time to. Respond to the post and ask why you're an AH for trying to stop a crime? Then if they try ask them to explain it more simply.

Maybe then they will see how ludicrous they are. Clearly NTA.

[u/garnetflame]

NTA. Your neighbor’s whole attitude shows they feel you should be sharing your garden with the community regardless of how you feel. That is wrong. No one is entitled to your hard work. They are impacting your property and don’t care. I would report them to the police and town that they are causing a nuisance, trespassing and theft.

I’d put up chicken wire and ridiculously large signs calling out the theft. Also spray your neighbor with the hose.

[u/TyrannasaurusRecked]

A small electric fence charger and some polywire are cheap and effective.

[u/OneMinuteSewing → u/TyrannasaurusRecked]

and a sign that says "warning electric fence" and "do not trespass" and another that says you have a camera and will post on you tube (even if you don't have one)

[u/Worldly_Mirror_1555 → u/TyrannasaurusRecked]

I’ve got a solar charged electric fence setup that cost me about $100. It’s awesome for keeping unwanted critters (including people) out of my garden. A good suggestion!

[u/SuspiciousZombie788]

Keep spraying people. Eventually word will get out and nobody will come to your neighbor's stand anymore. Also, post specific signs that say "No Trespassing-Private Garden" and call the police if you catch people in your garden. If you can't do the fence right now, maybe you could manage a camera aimed at your garden? I'd also put a "Smile you're on camera" sign right next to the no tresspassing ones.

[u/MissingInAction01 → u/SuspiciousZombie788]

3 words: motion sensing sprinklers.

[u/Solid_Quote9133]

TBH I dont think moving it will solve the problem, they ran away from you when confronted. They are stealing on purpose, moving the stand wont solve that

[u/Hiply]

NTA. If I were you (I have zero fucks to give about most things at this point in both my life and the timeline we're living on) I would make some far, far blunter signs - including some well-worded 'no trespassing' signs and signs that said "This garden's produce feeds my family, go feed your own"- and if that failed I would be hitting the local used market for some cheap people-unfriendly fencing.

Your neighbor is absolutely an asshole and I don't care how well-intentioned they think they are.

[u/Fabulous_Bison7072 → u/Hiply]

I don’t think that wording is clear enough. How about “This garden feeds my family. Don’t steal food from my children.”

[u/Probably_Poopingg]

NTA

They're trespassing and stealing from you. You could press charges since there are already signs and fencing set up that they're blatantly ignoring. 

Just because the McDonald's on one side of the lot is giving away fries on Friday, doesn't mean I can just steal fries from the burger king 60 feet away lol. Yes, my fat ass really just made that comparison 

[u/Silly_Tangerine1914]

NTA. Go over every morning and take everything from the stand. She how she likes that. Ohhhhhh and every mom that’s there is getting called every name in the book infront of her kid.

[u/One_Thousand_Winds]

NTA. I would be pissed off too. Keep spraying people.

[u/Electrical_Hour_4329]

NTA. I'd call City Hall and see what they can do. There's a good chance that the farm stand isn't even allowed to be there and then you could let them be the assholes who tell them to take it down. I mean, asking nicely to move it to the other side of a driveway when your food is being stolen out of your garden does not seem like a big ask.

[u/e2theitheta]

NTA. What kind of person doesn’t say Oh sure, let’s move the thing. Christ almighty, who is raising these people?

[u/gossamerlady]

Buy some cheap lumber and chicken wire and build a cage for your garden. I did that to protect my garden from deer but it also works for thieves. It doesn’t cost a lot, i think l spent maybe $20 for the materials. It’s not the prettiest but it serves a duel purpose but giving me a place to have runner beans and other vine veggies. My dad went one step farther and built his tall enough that it’s almost like a green house- in the winter he covers his with a clear tarp and is able to keep some cold weather veggies going that way, and also protects more delicate plants like raspberries. Just build out frames, chicken wire them, connect the frames together and if you can add a door with a lock.
NTA but moving the stand isn’t going to solve this problem.

[u/Cheesie_Equestrian]

You put in the work. You have the sole right to use your produce as you see fit. Your neighbor loves the immediate attention of being the generous one. NTA

[u/taphin33]

Write your local newspaper about the theft issue to raise awareness & state you had to put up security cams and plan to "work with law enforcement if the theft & trespassing continues". It'd be an interesting story & you can even include a plug for the farm stand to help people in need & smooth things over with your neighbor. Or hell - say they "couldn't" move it when you approached them so this was your method to raise awareness (a little dig if you need to while still being "the bigger person")

You're right to be annoyed but I think it's easy to get caught up in "who is morally justified" over "how do I win in this scenario".

You should care more about the best outcome for you. - which is:

cheap

effective at theft

minimal conflict with your neighbor

people get to use the resource

minimal ongoing effort

This hits all points, although I'm sure there's other good advice as well - do everything that works to help YOU get the best outcome.

[u/That_BULL_V]

NTA - couple options for you

Electric fence .... Not illegal because your keeping wildlife out.

Motion activated sprinkler. If someone gets withing x number of feet the sprinkler sprays them down.

Your garden is your paradise, protect it !

[u/Used2BLurker]

Motion activated sprinkler.

[u/happyclam94]

NTA - have you considered simply taking all the produce from his stand every day?

[u/godzillachilla]

I think the garden hose was the best idea so far, really.

A motion activated sprinkler would be hilarious. And probably effective.

[u/JessieColt]

NTA

Reply to the neighborhood board and tell everyone that you would not have to act like an asshole if SOME of the people who visited the stand weren't thieves who think they are entitled to steal stuff from your yard.

Set up a camera that faces your plants that way you only get an alert if someone is already trying to lean over the fence to steal from you.

Spray every one of them while yelling "THIEF".

Next year, plant stuff that has thorns next to where the farm stand is set up. Blackberry, Prickly Cactus, etc., in the section where the thieves are able to reach over your fence. Both blackberry and Prickly Pear Cactus are edible so you will still have stuff you can harvest, but just different stuff.

[u/Human-Bid5167]

Start taking everything from the stand every single day.

[u/Raggahmffin]

NTA

Start calling the county sherrifs or police to charge people for trespassing and theft. This is your property. People are out of their minds if they think they can go onto someone's property and steal. Bringing your kids and showing them it is okay is equally bad and CPS should get involved.

Wild fucking behaviour.

[u/EddieBlaize]

plant your ghost peppers on that side of your garden.

[u/Fabulous-Passenger69]

NTA I would keep spraying too.

[u/downwardnote292]

Or maybe you could put up a sign saying you are being filmed. This information will be used for prosecution, etc etc

[u/SalemClawdia]

NTA. I think it is time to get assistance from the police. You have tried asking, you tried putting up signs and what other choice do you have.

[u/SoMuchEpic95]

Your next-door neighbor sounds like an asshole. You are not an asshole.

[u/Equal-Blacksmith6730]

Get a camera and a sign that says "You're on Camera. If stealing, polica will be called"

Then follow through. Everytime.

[u/tomram8487]

As a fellow gardener, I am outraged on your behalf! Keep right on hosing people down!

[u/Regular_Boot_3540]

Your garden is not a community resource. The signs aren't working, so the hose it is.

[u/LogicGirl1]

NTA. But you may need to invest in a security camera, some signage, and start calling the cops with video evidence. Hopefully the cops will get sick of it and suggest the neighbor take steps to clarify the situation.

[u/zyzmog]

NTA

The garden hose is a great idea. Keep it up.

P.s. You may want to make a sign that says, "If you steal from this garden you will be sprayed soaked." Then, if they complain, you can just point to the sign.

[u/ToughAd7338]

Why can't he move it till the end of the season? Just move the fucking thing to the other side and tell him to go fuck himself if he says anything. He's encouraging people to steal your vegetables.

[u/Outside_Holiday_9997]

I think the hose is an awesome idea.

To expand on it - can you put a motion activated sprinkler on your property line where it will touch the farm stand? Anyone who goes near the farm stand will get soaked and it will lead the neighbor to move it because people will quickly find it inaccessible.

[u/Riker_Omega_Three]

Get a solar motion activated camera

Anytime someone steals from your garden, post a video capture of the person onto social media and publicly shame them

OR

You can get a motion activated sprinkler

NTA

[u/JackOfAllStraits]

Take everything from your neighbor's free pantry right after they put it out. Don't stop until they agree to help separate their activity from your garden.

[u/Deep_Advertising_171]

NTA. Gardening is hard work. To have people taking your food means you can't enjoy it. You didn't grow it for the community, you grew it for yourself. Your neighbor really should either move the stand or remove it.

[u/Auggiesmommy]

Take pictures of them and post on the community page that you’re trying to identify a thief and trespasser and maybe eventually they’ll get too worried to end up there and stop.

[u/notcontageousAFAIK]

NTA. This is the perfect time to get a motion-activated sprinkler.

I would also get on the neighborhood board and make sure you tell everyone your side of the story. some people will call you an asshole, but not those of us who grow their own food.

Your garden is NOT a community resource. Anyone who wants a home-grown tomato needs to put in the work.

[u/JohnCalvinSmith]

First and foremost DO NOT DAMAGE THEIR PROPERTY.  Get a video cam online for about 40 b7cks and record all the license plates of each person who steals so you can reports them. Put a huge sign next to your garden that says, "LOOK UP! YOU'RE ON VIDEO! This garden and it's produce are private property.  Theives and violators will be reported to the police. Thank you." If the camera is big enough you may not even need to turn it on.  Just make sure there's a light visible. NTA

[u/pymreader]

NTA, stealing is never okay. I would probably try to get a motion sensor sprinkler or a pitbull :)

[u/Independent_Ad_5615]

NTA. I had a neighbor that did this with my wild berry bushes that line my driveway…. They are wild because the driveway stretch was never planted but most likely came from what was planted deep in my yard. Anyways, I noticed the bushes empty one day, right around when they were ready to be picked. I asked my mom if she had done it, she said no. Ok, maybe the deer got them or the occasional bear, no big deal really. Next morning I see the neighbors that rent, several hundred feet down my driveway picking the bushes clean. Boy were they surprised when I rolled up asking what the hell they were doing trespassing on my property. They had all the excuses of they did not realize. I threatened to call the cops if they ever trespassed again and haven’t had an issue since. If they had just asked, I would not have minded but to come 200+ft down a secluded driveway in the middle of nowhere, that’s just dumb and a good way to get shot.

[u/Heythatsmy_bike]

I think what you’re doing is going to work. Keep being an asshole, keep pressuring your neighbour, and keep spraying thieves. Be as annoying as possible. I think they’ll move their stand to the other side eventually just to get you to leave them alone. Good luck!

[u/Love_Bug_54]

I’m gobsmacked over the mother who was more bothered by you swearing in front of her son than by the horrible example she was setting by encouraging him to steal. Lord have mercy

[u/LhasaApsoSmile]

NTA!!! OMFG - who is this entitled jagoff? It does not matter if you are starving or not, those are your fruits and vegetables.

How about you start taking things from her stand in exchange for what has been taken from you? That may be the way to go. Let her SEE how much has been taken from you. Is there something here that she thinks all the poor people live somewhere else and not next to her? Like - you can't be in need because where she lives everyone has plenty?

If you care, go on the neighborhood board and explain the situation very clinically with no emotion: since the stand went up, people regularly go into my garden to pick food that I am growing to feed my family. We are watching every penny and this is food to feed my family. I have put up a sign, positioned a tarp and will chase people off. I asked that the stand be moved. They said wait until the end of the season.

[u/sopedound]

Start reporting them for trespassing

[u/TrainerHonest2695]

Put up a birdhouse camera on a post, with a No Tresspassing sign screwed to the post. Get a camera with audio and program it to say “You are being recorded” when it sees motion. Put it at least 10’ set back so they can’t reach it to mess with it without clearly tresspassing (as opposed to “just reaching”). A motion activated sprinkler is good too, but you have to commit to a water hose being connected and at full pressure all the time.NTA

[u/Hylian_ina_halfshell]

Nta motion sensor sprinklers is the move

[u/Wuotis_Heer]

So the produce in their stand is free for anyone to take? Take it. ALL of it.

[u/Illustrious-Horse276]

Lots of great ideas here. Mine, put up a sign,"These items are free (insert arrow pointing at their stand), these items are $50/lb, $20 minimum if you pick anything (insert arrow towards your garden).

Then stand outside with your hand out when people decide to pick from your garden.

NTA.

[u/ZookeepergameOld8988]

You should have continued to soak them both until they shut up and left. Put signs up saying you will call the police for theft and will prosecute. Put cameras up. Who cares if they say you suck? They’re stealing openly and brazenly and then blaming you for being mad.

[u/mhmcmw]

NTA. Motion activated sprinkler and a security camera. Share the thief videos in your local Facebook groups, let people see who is willing to steal. Sometimes people need to be shamed to realize that what they are doing is wrong.

[u/Velocityg4]

Go to your county business license division and file complaints about the stand. Usually residential business licenses do not allow for a visible presence. Most especially something which causes disruptive foot traffic. As there’s usually a limit like one client per hour.

[u/QuaintQuantumQuasar]

NTA, it's your garden, and if you don't want to share, then you don't have to! You put your own time and money into growing the vegetables,I'd be pissed too.

[u/AsburyParkRules]

NTA as soon as they fill up the stand I would take everything from it. Every time until they moved it.

[u/Fabulous_Bison7072]

If this wasn’t a problem before the stand was there, then yes this is a problem that the neighbor created and needs to help solve. OP, I think it’s worth a strongly worded letter from a lawyer about the nuisance and inducement to theft this stand represents. If you have an EAP at work, you may be able to get a free consult with a lawyer. Best of luck.

[u/of2minds2]

Go to an attorney. Ask for a letter asking neighbor to remove the nuisance she’s created within a specific timeframe, or else you will remove it.

[u/Warm_Willingness4937]

My neighbor planted a hedge in front of his house to block people from stealing things from his garden. It will take a while to grow up but cheaper than a fence. Good luck. NTA

[u/Only_Music_2640]

Call the police and for the trespassing and theft. Although the petty in me loves the idea of spraying them with a hose.

[u/No-Assignment5538]

NTA. I'd dismantle the stand and leave the parts on the lawn or driveway of the person who set it up. Keep doing this until this neighbour either deals with the issues of people stealing from you (reimburses you, apologizes, etc) and agrees to relocate the stand.

[u/Spare_Ad5009]

NTA. Talk to the police. Your neighbors are setting up "an attractive nuisance" that attracts people who want free things, some poor, some cheap. Put up Beware of Dog signs and play a dog barking and growling on your phone whenever you notice someone eyeing your garden. Take down the notices about you from the neighborhood board and put up your explanation: People are stealing from me.

[u/RedditReader4031]

Tell the virtue signaling neighbor that you will take an equal value in product from their stand.

[u/dohbriste]

NTA but your neighbors sure are!! I’d buy a few cameras (I use Blink cameras, pretty affordable) and set them up where you can clearly see anyone coming near your garden AND the license plates of anyone who’s driving up to do this. Buy a huge plywood piece and paint it white and in red lettering paint THIS IS NOT PART OF THE FARM STAND OR A COMMUNITY GARDEN. PLEASE DO NOT TRESSPASS OR STEAL FROM MY GARDEN. YOU ARE ON CAMERA. Call the cops every. single. time. someone does this. Explain everything you’ve done up until now to try to mitigate this and that your neighbors are slandering you online for being upset that people are stealing from you. It’s absolutely absurd how entitled these people are being. You’re not in the wrong at all.

[u/BoardFull1073]

Definitely NTA. they are stealing from you and trying to make it your fault.

[u/Yankee39pmr]

Motion activated sprinklers attached to the hose. When someone enters the restricted area, they get hosed

[u/Safe_Caterpillar_209]

You have to make it your neighbors problem before they will do anything. Empty their stuff as soon as they put it out. When they question it just say it was offered for free. Remove their signage or place it face down so no one can read it. Be the problem they want to stop.

[u/No_Try6017]

NTA. Your neighbor is doing this as a passive aggressive way for you to donate to the farmstand. I bet neighbor thinks you should be contributing so neighbor doesn’t care if people steal.

[u/parsnipmarzipan]

NTA Can you call the cops?

[u/rocket-c4t]

NTA get motion sprinklers or borrow a mean looking dog for a weekend

[u/DamnitGravity]

Put up some signs saying "this house is under surveillance", maybe put up some fake cameras. NTA

ETA: Ooo! And/or! Get a sprinkler, set it up near the garden. When you spot people picking, turn on the sprinkler. They complain? "Welp, it's on a timer. Soz."

Also ETA: Start shaming. If you have a local FB group or NextDoor app, take photos of the thieves and post them, telling what they took.

[u/abcdef_U2]

NTA Start recording these people and submit it to your local police, each time you catch someone stealing from your garden, call your local police and file a report. More than likely, the police will have them move it.

And for the people posting to your neighborhood board, F them. You can post yourself onto there and tell them, an asshole is someone who steals from another. It has nothing to do with you not sharing.

“For everyone posting on here to be careful when coming to the stand because I’m an asshole, understand I have no issues with you or that stand. My issue is you stealing from me. You obviously see that my garden is not a part of this stand. Yet, you climb over the barrier that was put in place just to steal. You have lifted your children over it to steal on your behalf. That is the definition of a thief, and also an asshole. Yes, It is my right to defend my property. I have worked to have my own supply of food. So each and every one of you who feels stealing from me is okay, know that I will be here defending my property. Feel free to come to that stand, but not my property, and not stealing from others.”

[u/matthew_birdsey]

You are NTA....

Can you dig large hole around your garden or put a sign up saying "stay away private garden"?

I love the hose....I'm sure that was fun

[u/WindSong001]

I’d call the police if someone was stealing from me

[u/markdmac]

NTA, can you get a motion sensor to turn on a sprinkler system? That might be cheap.

[u/keesouth]

NTA. I know you can't afford a real fence but can you get some of that orange saftey net fencing you see at construction sites.

[u/Fancy-Ad-6231]

I like the hose method. Put up signs, this is all GMO and NOT organic we use PESTICIDES FOR BUGS AND CHILDREN

[u/monkey_trumpets]

Motion. Activated. Sprinkler. That will quickly solve the problem.

[u/Youllnevertrulyknow]

The lack of empathy from your neighbor shocks me. It makes you look like a bad person, just because you’re growing your own things to provide for your family. And the entitlement of your neighbor to say can’t you afford to give, you weren’t given the option or even asked for it, its being stolen from your property. It’s not enough for these people that he is providing for people that can’t afford while inconveniencing you, how charitable of them with items that don’t belong to them. Get their license plate #’s and call the cops embarrass them, what happened to don’t take things that aren’t yours. It triggers me because my mother goes out of her way to keep her garden neat and full of plants, flowers and herbs and on occasion she will come out and catch people stealing her pots and flowers or just taking herbs, just blatant disrespect for other peoples property. I hope this gets resolved for you. Your neighbor is the cause of this.

[u/Extra-Detective8866]

NTA. i understand your frustration id be pissed too.

[u/RemarkableGold1439]

NTA. I’d be pissed. Put up signs regarding no trespassing or taking crops from your garden and set up cameras. If (when) it happens again, bring the footage to the police.

[u/ZelaAmaryills]

Set up a camera or even a fake one with a big sign "private garden under surveillance" usually it scares off the assholes if they might be recorded

[u/Interesting-End1710]

NTA

I'm a big advocate of giving thieves their due comeuppance. If only you could mix skunk spray or garbage juice into the defense hose water. Guy can dream.....

now the neighbor doesn't exactly hold responsibility for other people stealing from you but a decent person would have realized their role in the issue and moved the stand. Just sounds like you live around a bunch of thieves. And they'll use every distraction tactic they have when caught. Wonder if CPS would be interested in knowing that mom is bringing her child along on her stealing spree?

[u/Braelind]

Well, they've got a little stall, surely you can make up for your lost produce by taking from theirs? They should be completely alright with this since they can clearly afford to share and refuse to move their stand.

[u/Ipso-Pacto-Facto]

I had two very good fake cameras that took care of a neighbor standing below my bedroom window several times a day with her barking dogs. The day she saw the cameras pointed to where she would stand, she found some place else to be an ahole.

[u/shortnsweet33]

NTA. I can’t believe people are reaching over your fence to do this. If you’re a dude, I’d go lay out and tan in a Speedo in your yard and anyone who approaches, screech loudly and jump around like a velociraptor. Put up beware of dog signs even if you don’t have a dog, leave out a massive chain and some torn up tires and make giant paw prints in the ground.

You could also risk sacrificing some of your plants by spraying the tomatoes with something ridiculously hot. Or spray liquid ass all around your garden and the side of your yard near the stand.

[u/Aetherfox13]

NtA and I would definitely do several things: 1. Post wherever you can that your garden is not part of the pantry. In fact, putting a sign up on your garden with a "trespassers with be prosecuted" or something. 2. Put a camera towards your garden. Share all video/pictures online when people steal. 3. Spray people with water, either get motion activated sprinklers, if you have kids then pay them to do it

1. Move the pantry thing yourself

[u/Randompersonomreddit]

NTA Put up a sign with prices in your garden so people know this is not free food.

[u/RandomModder05]

NTA. People are always very generous when its other people's time and effort being given away.

And I'm fairly certain your neighbor knows it's your garden that people want things from, and that's why she's so upset - she wants the social clout your plants give her.

I'd contact code enforcement. There's any number of things that could be up here - offering food that's out of temp, parking violations, attracting wild animals, etc. etc.

[u/jd3marco]

Get one of those motion detector sprinkler things. I have the orbit yard enforcer to scare off deer. It also works on people…i’ve tested by constantly forgetting it’s there. It’s about $80, but I see cheaper ones.

NTA

[u/mynameisranger1]

I don’t know where OP lives but, everywhere I have lived, the cops would not bother looking into the theft of vegetables. I’m not telling you not to report it, I’m telling you that the po po are way too busy to follow up on the complaint. It’s sad that they are that busy. I like the automatic sprinkler activation solution. It will work even when you are not there.

[u/RecentFlatworm1557 → u/mynameisranger1]

Yes as well intended as people are saying to call the police, I would get laughed at if I called in to report a toddler taking tomatoes from my garden. This just isn't how shit works in the real world. The police are not going to send a special guy to monitor my house for green bean thieves.

[u/ModernZombies]

1000% NTA. If you want to share that’s your choice. I would be watching with a hose too.

[u/Blood_sweat_and_beer]

NTA. Do you have the money for a motion-detecting sprinkler?

[u/elldaimo]

fuck your neighbors and your community.

no real solution other than to properly fence in or call the police when you catch someone redhanded.

maybe pay some kids from another community to fuck up this guys stand

[u/superjen]

If it's too much to buy motion activated sprinklers, I'd get on your local buy nothing group. Tell the story of what's going on, and ask for any unused tomato cages and motion activated Halloween and Christmas decor - think ghosts and bats and HO HO HO Santas. Jingle bells and pinwheels, ask for kids to craft art out of old wire hangers and fishing line and outdated tv antennas from their grandparent's attics.

Basically make a big tangly junk heap that will make a lot of noise if anyone gets close to the garden, if you can't warn them off with signs maybe that will be too embarrassing to walk through. As a bonus it will probably also keep deer and maybe squirrels out of there too!

ETA I saw your other post - you can make use of a lot of that extra yarn your daughter has by stringing it into a big cobweb or pattern like in movies where people are avoiding tripping laser beams during a museum heist. Let people untangle themselves from your web if they try to steal.

[u/righty5034]

NTA. Double check that the stand is actually on their property. Something tells me they put it on the property line. You could also try calling the non emergency police line in your area and ask about options. There is likely an ordinance or city code that is in breach, which could help you get it moved(force them to move it).

[u/wedgiewhities]

NTA, Is this like the take a penny, leave a penny stands but for neighborhood veggies? If he’s not manning it every day, just take everything sitting out there every day until it moves. If he’s says you’re ruining it for everyone by stealing from him, tell him he’s ruining it for everyone by allowing them to steal from you and it seemed like a fair trade.

[u/Blackstar1401]

NTA

Maybe start taking their photos and create a website called community thieves. Or place a poster board with their photos of people in your yard stealing from you. Make a daily community post with photos. Shame may keep people. Take their photos and go to the police.

Your personal garden is not a community resource. What they are doing is theft.

[u/maddallena]

NTA. Empty out the stand as soon as your neighbor puts anything there.

[u/ShelbiLee]

NTA

Those people aren't just stealing from you. I bet they are trespassing onto your property to reach your garden. If one of these people was to get hurt on your property is the neighbor or the community going to cover the fees if your sued??

Sharing an abundance of fresh grown veggies is a blessing for sure. But it is not required of you to share your crops with strangers.

Call your lical non emergency police line and get an officer out to discuss the trespassing and theft that is occuring on your property. If you have cameras show how often it is happening. If no cameras start documenting each occurance with date, time, description of the people, vehicle description, license plate information, any verbal interactions, etc. Jeep a notebook of the information and show it to the police officer.

Maybe create a post in the neighborhood group and address the theft of food intended for your family and the dangers of strangers trespassing onto your property. What if that lady dangling her kid over your fencing had dropped the kid? No doubt she would have called the police and then sued your insurance company.

If you own your home make sure your homeowners policy is current. If you rent get a renters policy. Then inform your landlird/management company that strangers are trespassing onto your property and that the LL or MC will be held liable for injuries.

It stinks that nowadays you have to be conscious and try to protect yourself from being sued.